A Swiss tourist was fined yesterday for encroaching on a National Park protected zone after he drove a jet ski from Naka Island to Ao Phang Nga National Park.
An official from Ao Phang Nga National Park, who declined to be named, said the officials saw the tourist, later identified as Sandre Diener, 45, drive a jet ski within a protected area off Phang Nga National Park, so they asked him to stop.
“There were two men on the jet ski, both from Switzerland, but the driver was Sandre Diener, 45. He drove the jet ski from Naka Island to Hong Island, which is about 10 kilometers,” the official said.
“They appeared not to know that they had done something wrong, so we explained to them that this area is a protected under the National Park Conservation Act.”
“Jet skis and other personal watercraft are banned from the area. Only those who have been given permission by the National Park Office can bring watercraft into the area.
“Diener was fined THB1,000 and given information about the law for this area. I also warned the jet ski owner, who runs a rental shop, about the tourist’s behavior.”
The official added, “Please be reminded not to drive jet skis or watercraft in National Park zones. Rental shops should be obligated to warn tourists about situations such as this.”
Story: The Phuket News
